France is entering the third phase of its national AI strategy, announced by President Macron, focusing on strengthening computing infrastructures and attracting investments. Key priorities include enhancing energy supply for data centers, with a commitment to decarbonized electricity. The government plans to support data center development through financial incentives and has identified suitable sites for expansion. Additionally, the strategy emphasizes training and the establishment of trustworthy AI, while maintaining a balanced regulatory approach.
France’s National AI Strategy: A New Phase Begins
Following the establishment of AI research clusters and the integration of AI into the economy, France is embarking on the third phase of its national AI strategy, which was first introduced in 2018. This latest development was announced on February 6 by the interministerial committee on AI, ahead of the highly anticipated Paris Summit.
Focus on Computing Infrastructures
The new phase outlines four key priorities, with a significant emphasis on enhancing computing infrastructures. President Emmanuel Macron took the lead in making the initial announcements concerning this critical area.
During his address at the Grand Palais on February 10, Macron cleverly adapted the phrase “Drill, baby, drill,” popularized by former U.S. President Donald Trump, to “Plug, baby, plug,” highlighting the urgent need for new data centers in France.
Strengthening the nation’s computing infrastructures and bolstering essential components of the AI value chain stands as the foremost priority in this third phase of the national strategy. To achieve this goal, France is committed to enhancing its appeal to investors.
The government emphasizes several advantages, including an abundant supply of decarbonized energy, strategic geographical positioning, and suitable land for data center projects.
Energy Infrastructure and Data Center Growth
France is proud of its extensive energy infrastructure, particularly the fact that 90% of its territory is covered by fiber optics. However, it is the reliable energy supply that the government believes will attract potential investors. President Macron stated, “Electricity is available, you can plug in. It is ready. And I can tell you that we will move quickly. Very quickly.”
The interministerial committee reassures that the country has an energy framework conducive to data centers, with electricity available at competitive prices. Macron highlighted that France is set to produce record amounts of electricity within the EU, projecting a net export balance of +89 TWh by 2024, with production expected to grow by 2% annually. Impressively, 95% of the electricity generated is already decarbonized.
As demand for data centers surges, especially to fuel generative AI, their energy consumption is becoming a pressing concern. The rapid growth of spending and emissions from major players like Google, Microsoft, and Meta serves as a testament to this trend. Despite the government’s optimistic production forecasts, Ademe warns that energy consumption from data centers in Europe may nearly triple, rising from approximately 62 terawatt-hours (TWh) today to over 150 TWh by the decade’s end.
Data centers are responsible for an estimated 46% of the digital carbon footprint in France, a figure that does not account for the anticipated impact of generative AI. Projections indicate that by 2050, the digital footprint could triple.
To incentivize data center development, the French government offers financial benefits to owners, particularly for “electro-intensive users,” which include a tax reduction of €10.5/MWh and a discount of €5.7/MWh on public network usage tariffs.
Future Plans and Trustworthy AI Development
The government has identified 35 sites suitable for data center projects, ready to offer up to 1GW of electrical capacity across areas ranging from 18 to over 150 hectares. While President Macron assures readiness, the committee clarifies that these sites will be connected to the grid for high electrical capacity starting from 2027. Project holders can access support from a dedicated task force designed to assist strategic projects in overcoming potential challenges.
The government is keen to assure that environmental protection will not hinder progress, citing the Green Industry law that allows for a streamlined authorization process, reducing it from 9 to 6 months.
In addition to infrastructural developments, the new phase of the national strategy prioritizes training, talent development, and the acceleration of AI utilization. A key new objective is to ensure the construction of trustworthy AI. However, this aspect remains the least detailed in the government’s communication, with France leaning on the establishment of the INESIA institute for AI evaluation and security, announced in February.
Staying true to its liberal approach, the French government emphasizes supply-side policies, placing regulatory measures for trustworthy AI and environmental control as secondary. This stance aligns with France’s initial reluctance towards the AI Act, as President Macron expressed concerns over excessive regulation of foundational AI models following the text’s ratification by Europe.